Portable inhalator



Dec. 30,1958 A. LOVY ETAI. 2,366,456

PORTABLE INHALATOR v Filed June 19, 1957 a Sheets-Sheet 1 -INVENTOR.

Ail/acne 10g;

liar/AZ 'pears,

2,866,456 Patented Dec. 30, 1958 2,866,456 PORTABLE INHALATOR AlexanderEugene Lovy, Chicago, Ill., and Earl M.

Spears, Ann Arbor, Micln, assignors to Oxy-Gear lucorporated, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 19, 1957, Scrial'No.666,546

11 Claims. (Cl. 1284-203) This invention relates to improvements ininhalators and more particularly to the novel construction and assemblyof a portable inhalator or respirator of a character adapted toaccommodate a small-size standard type of pressurized oxygen cylinder.

The embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawingis comprised of a shallow substantially rectangular carrying case inwhich is mounted firmly a novelly constructed turbulator andflow-control unit having a mounting opening in the body thereof toreceive the usual valve control fitting, which may be externallythreaded, mounted on the end of an oxygen cylinder which is alsocontained in the carrying case. The carrying case preferably is ofsufficient size to permit the usual face mask and its flexible hoseconnection to be stored therein thus providing a compact assembly thatmay be transported easily and be set up for use quickly and with aminimum of effort. Furthermore, the flow control unit includes novelmeans to prevent unauthorized manipulation of or tampering with aturbulator or flowcontrol element mounted in the body thereof.

Portable inhalators are old in the art; however inhalators of knowntypes require the high degree of skill of persons trained in the use ofmedical oxygen equipment for their operation. The portable inhalatordescribed and claimed herein is suitable for use by non-technicalpersonnel, such as athletes, operators of small gymnasiums and the like,motorists and truck drivers, operators of small aircraft, and otherswithout technical training in the use and operation of medical oxygenequipment. The invention is light enough in weight and small enough insize to be conveniently and easily transported and stored; it isinexpensive in manufacture; it is pre-set in oxygen flow, and free fromsensitive manipulation in operation.

The object of this invention is to provide a portable inhalator which islight in weight, compact and is easily set up for use or stored.

Another object is to provide a novel carrying case and a novelflow-control unit mounted firmly therein and arranged to receive andmount an oxygen cylinder in com munication therewith.

Still another object is to provide a flow-control unit with novel meansto prevent tampering with a novel flowcontrol element therein.

A further object is to provide a portable inhalator of the characterdescribed which is compactly arranged, light 6 in weight, inexpensive toconstruct and assemble, safe in operation, and very efficient in use.

With the foregoing and such other objects in view, which will appear asthe description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novelfeatures of construction, arrangement and combination of partshereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in form, proportion, size and minor details of thestructure may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to identify corresponding parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable inhalator embodying thepresent invention, showing a portion of its carrying case broken away.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 22of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal detail sectional view through theflow-control unit and showing a portion of the attached cylinder valvecontrol fitting in section, taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a modified form ofconstruction.

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially online 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially online 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the inhalator is mounted withina suitable carrying case 11, which, in the present disclosure, comprisesa shallow substantially rectangular main body portion 12 including abottom wall 13, side walls 14 and end walls 15. A cover 16 having aperimeter flange thereon may be hinged or otherwise connected to thebody portion 12, or it may be entirely removable therefrom.

Mounted within the carrying case is a mounting orflowcontrol assembly17, a fluid cylinder 18, a mask 19 and its connecting hose 21. The mask,hose and fluid cylinder are of types commercially available, and, asbest shown in Figure 2, the cylinder, which in this instance may containliquified oxygen at an initial pressure of about 1800 pounds, has anormally closed valved outlet fixture 22 which includes a valve element23 and a relatively movable closure fitting 24 which also serves asmeans to mount the cylinder on the flow-control assembly in a manner tobe described presently.

The flow-control assembly includes a body 25 which is firmly secured tothe inside face of the bottom wall 13 and adjacent to one end in anysuitable manner such as, for example, by means of screws 26. In theembodiment of the flow-control assembly shown in detail in Figures 2 and3, the body 25 has flow passageways therein (described in detailhereinafter) formed at their ends to receive fixtures or fittings forconnecting the fluid cylinder 18 and the hose 21 thereto and incommunication with each other through the flow passageways.

Referring to Figure 3, one end of the body 215 has a tapped opening 27,opening onto one end face thereof and adapted to receive, threadedtherein, the externally 0 threaded end of the closure fitting 24 so asto mount the cylinder 18 on the body in the position best shown inFigure 1. The fitting 24 is secured against unintended displacement by athumb screw 28 threaded into the body 25 from one side face thereof.Preferably, the thumb screw 28 cooperates with a plug 29 which may becomprised of nylon plastic and which bears on the threads of the fitting24 so as not to cause damage thereto. To open and close the valvedoutlet 22 of the cylinder 18, the cylinder is rotated relative to theheld fitting 24, as is well known in the art.

The inner end of the tapped opening 27 communicates with one end of asmall bore 30 in the body 25. The other end of the bore 30 opens into abore of progressively increasing diameters, as at 31, 32 and 33, thelatter opening directly onto the other end face of the body 25. Adischarge passageway 34, also provided in the body 25, extendsperpendicular to and is in direct communication at its inner end withthe larger bore 33. Its other end opens into an axially aligned tappedopening 35 adapted to receive a fitting 36 carried on the end of themask hose 21.

Mounted within the multiple diameter bore 31, 32, and 33 of the body 25is a turbulator and flow-control element or plug 37. This element isshown in Figure 3 and it has an end portion 38 of a diameter tofitsnugly :in the bore portion 31. The bore portion 32 and the space 43in direct communication with the perpendicular discharge passageway 34.

The flow-control element 37 has a radial port 44 of small diameteropening onto the circumferential surface of the element in the area ofthe annular space 43. Its other, or inner, end is in directcommunication with the axial passageway 45, of the same or substantiallythe same diameter, provided in the element 37. A second axial passageway46, of a diameter larger than the diameter of the passageway 45, isformed in the element 37 in communication at one end with the passageway45 and at its other end with the axially aligned passageway 30 in thebody 25. A portion at least of the circumferential wall of the axialpassageway 46 is formed with an uneven surface preferably in the form ofcircular undulations or ridges which may be provided by internalsthreads 47. V

The turbulator and flow-control structure is such that fluid flowingunder pressure into the bore 30, when the valve element 22 is open, isrestricted during such passage. However, upon reaching the passageway 46the fluid expands and at the same time it is turbulated by reason of theundulations or ridges 47 and this turbulated fluid then flows throughthe restricted passageway 45 and 44 and then into the enlarged dischargepassage 34. As it leaves the enlarged discharge passage 34, through arestricted port 48 in the fitting 36, it is again reduced in volumetricflow but its pressure is considerably increased, thus projecting intothe large passageway defined by the hose 21, a fluid flow which has beenturbulated or otherwise disturbed sufliciently to insure that it isrendered entirely gaseous and that no liquid particles remain.

In order to prevent tampering with the flow-control t is no danger of aperson receiving too much or too little fluid or of the flow-controlelement 37 being blown out of the flow-control block 17 and thusrendering the entire apparatus useless.

In the embodiment of the flow control assembly 17a shown in Figures 4,5, and 6, the body 25a has a tapped opening 27a opening onto one endface thereof to mount the externally threaded closure fitting 24 of theoxygen cylinder 18. This tapped opening terminates at its-inner end in asmall orifice 52 which opens into a vertical well 53, the upper end ofwhich is tapped to receive the threaded mounting stem 54 of a pressuregauge 55. A tapped bore 56 also opens at one end into the well 53 andterminates at its other end in a countersink 57 on the other endfaee ofthe body 25a. This tapped bore has threaded therein a flow controlelement or valve fixture including a nipple 58 which is externallythreaded at one end portion only, as shown. The nipple 58 preferably hasa screw driver slot 59 in one end and its other end has an internallythreaded bore 61 which terminates in a valve seat 62 having a smalldiameter passageway 63 leading from it to theslotted end of the nipple.A needle valve stem 64 is threaded into the tapped bore 61 and ispre-adjusted to provide the desired flow passage through the passageway63 for oxygen or other fluid admitted thereinto through a radial port 65which is in flow communication with the well53 by reason of the absenceof external threads on the one end portion of the nipple 58. The fluidflowing toward the radial port 65 is turbulated as it advances acrossthe internal threads of the bore 56 toward the port 65.

Access to the pre-adjusted valve fixture 58-64 and manipulation thereofis normally prevented by the presence of a screw plug 66 having atapered slotted head 67 which is seated in the countersink 57. Ifdesired, a cover ing layer of soft material such as cold solder 68 isarranged over the head 67 to prevent tampering. The spaced relationshipbetween the slotted end of the valve fixture nipple 58 and the opposedinner end of the screw plug 66 may be fixed at the time of assembly soas to increase or decrease the volumetric capacity of the interveningspace and thereby regulate the pressure under which the liquid flowsinto the hose fitting 36.

As many posisble embodiments may be made in the invention, and as manychanges may be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to beunderstood that all matters hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by United States Letters Patent is the following:

1. A portable inhalator comprising a flow-control unit, a pressurizedfluid cylinder having a valved outlet mounted on and in communicationwith the flow-control unit, said valved outlet having a portion lockedfirmly in the flowcontrol unit so as to open and close the valved outletby manipulation of the cylinder, a hose and mask assembly in flowcommunication with the flow-control unit, a flowcontrol turbulator plugmounted in the flow-control unit having passageways through which fluidflowing through the unit passes, and means sealing said turbulator plugin place.

2. A portable inhalator comprising a case, a flow-control unit mountedwithin and adjacent to one end of the case, a pressurized fluid cylinderhaving a valved outlet mounted within the case and in communication withthe flow-control unit, a portion of the valved outlet on the cylinderbeing locked firmly in the flow-control unit so that opening and closingof the valved outlet is effected by manipulation of the cylinder only, ahose and mask assembly in flow communication with the flow-control unit,a flow-control turbulator plug mounted in the flowcontrol unit havingpassageways through which the fluid flowing through the unit passes, andmeans sealing said turbulator plug in place.

3. A portable inhalator comprising a carrying case, a flow-control unitmounted within the case, means securing it in place thereon, apressurized fluid cylinder having a valved outlet mounted within thecase on and in communication with the flow-control unit, means to lockthe valved outlet firmly in the flow-control unit so that opening andclosing of the valved outlet is effected by manipulation of thecylinder, hose and mask assembly in said case mounted on and in flowcommunication with the flow-control unit, a flow-control elementremovably mounted in the flow-control unit and through which fluidflowing through the unit passes, and means sealing said a tapped openingin said unit into which the externally threaded valve control element isthreaded, means to secure said control element against displacement whenthe cylinder is rotated relative thereto to open and close the valve,said means including a nylon element arranged for direct engagement withthe threads on the valve control element, a flow-control member in theflow-control unit, a passageway in the flow-control unit communicatingat one end with the tapped opening and at its other end with theflow-control member, said member having a passageway therethrough incommunication with the passageway in the flow-control unit and with adischarge passageway, means in the flow-control member passageway toturbulate fluids flowing therethrough and to restrict the rate of flowtherethrough, and means sealing said flow-control member within the unitto prevent tampering therewith.

5. A portable inhalator of the kind adapted to have mounted inassociation therewith a pressurized fluid cylinder having a valvedoutlet including an externally threaded valve control element, aflow-control unit, a case mounting the flow-control unit, said case beinof sufficient dimensions to accommodate the cylinder therein, a tappedopening insaid unit into which the externally threaded valve controlelement is threaded, means to secure said control element againstdisplacement when the cylinder is moved relative thereto to open andclose the valve, a fiow-control member in the flow control unit, apassageway in the flow-control unit communicating at one end with thetapped opening and at its other end with the flow-control member, saidmember having a passageway therethrough in communication with thepassageway in the flow-control unit and with a discharge passageway,means in the flow-control member passageway to turbulate fluids flowingthcrethrough,'and means sealing said flow-control member within theelement to prevent tampering therewith.

6. A portable inhalator of the kind adapted to have mounted inassociation therewith a fluid pressure cylinder having a valved outletincluding a valve control element, a flow-control unit, a case mountingthe flow-control unit, said case being of sutficient dimensions toaccommodate the cylinder therein, an opening in said unit in which thevalve control element is mounted, means to secure said control elementagainst displacement when the cylinder is turned relative thereto toopen and close the valve, a flow-control plug in the flow-control unit,a passageway in the flow-control unit communicating at one end with thesaid opening and at its other end with the flow-control plug, said plughaving a passageway therethrough in communication with the passageway inthe flow-control unit and with a discharge passageway, means in theflow-control plug passageway to turbulate fluid flowing therethrough,and means sealing said flow-control plug Within the element to preventtampering therewith.

7. A portable inhalator comprising a pressurized fluid cylinder having avalved outlet including a valve control element, a flow-control unit, anopening in said unit in which the valve control element is secured, aflow-control member mounted in the flow-control unit, a passageway inthe flow-control unit communicating at one end with the said opening andat its other end with the flow-control member, said member having apassageway therethrough in communication with the passageway in theflow-control unit and with a discharge passageway, means in theflowcontrol member passageway to turbulate fluids flowing therethrough,said member having a surface located inwardly from the related surfaceof the element to define a well, and a layer of material formed in thewell to prevent tampering with the flow-control member.

8. A portable inhalator of the kind adapted to have mounted inassociation therewith a pressurized fluid cylinder having a valvedoutlet including an externally threaded valve control element, aflow-control unit, a case mounting the fiowrontrol unit, said casebeingof sufficient dimensions to accommodate the cylinder therein, atapped opening in said unit into which the externally threaded valvecontrol element is threaded, means to secure said control elementagainst displacement when the cylinder is rotated relative thereto toopen and close the valve, said means including a nylon element arrangedfor direct engagement with the valve control element a flow-controlmember in the flow-control unit, a passageway in the flow-control unitcommunicating at one end with the tapped opening and at its other endwith the flow-control member, said member having a passagewaytherethrough in communication with the passageway in the flow-controlunit and with a discharge passageway, means in the flow-control memberpassageway to turbulate fluid flowing therethrough and to restrict therate of flow therethrough, said member having a surface located inwardlyfrom the related surface of the unit to define a well, and means fillingsaid well to prevent tampering with the member.

9. A portable inhalato-r comprising a pressurized fluid cylinder havinga valved outlet including a valve control element, a flow-control unit,an opening in said unit in which the valve control element is secured,means to secure said control element against displacement when thecylinder is rotated relative thereto to open and close the valve, aflow-control member in the flow-control unit, a passageway in theflow-control unit communicating at one end with the said opening and atits other end with the flow-control member, said member having apassageway therethrough in communication with the passageway in theflow-control unit and with a discharge passageway, annular undulationsin the flow-control member passage way to turbulate fluids flowingtherethrough, said member having a surface located inwardly from therelated surface of the element to define a well, and a layer of coldsolder in the well to conceal and prevent tampering with the member.

10. A portable innhalator comprising a flow-control unit, a pressurizedfluid cylinder having a valved outlet mounted on and in communicationwith the flow-control unit, said valved outlet having a portion lockedfirmly in the flow-control unit so as to open and close the valvedoutlet by manipulation of the cylinder, a hose and mask assembly in flowcommunication with the flow-control unit, a flow-control plug mounted inthe flow-control unit having passageways through which fluid flowingthrough the unit passes, and means sealing said plug in place.

11. A portable inhalator comprising a flow-control unit, a pressurizedfluid cylinder having a valved outlet mounted on and in communicationwith the flow-control unit, said valved outlet having a portion lockedfirmly in the flowcontrol unit so as to open and close the valved outletby manipulation of the cylinder, a hose and mask as sembly in flowcommunication with the flow-control unit, and a flow-control plugmounted in the flow-control unit having passageways through which fluidflowing through the unit passes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,017,946 Candor Oct. 22, 1935 2,324,389 Heidbrink -July 13, 19432,360,193 Boothby et al. Oct. 10, 1944 2,791,104 Duz May 7, 1957

